Plastic container with improved petaloidal base

ABSTRACT

A molded plastic cylindrical container has a petaloidal base with a plurality of feet for supporting the container. A plurality of spacings are between the feet, with at least one of the spacings or one of the feet being of a different size or shape than the other spacings for ascertaining the position of the container.

The field of this invention relates generally to cylindrical plastic containers, and more specifically to a cylindrical shaped container that is capable of being indexed for a coordinated application of labels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Blow molded plastic containers, commonly referred to as plastic bottles, are extremely popular and are made in a variety of sizes and variations. One type of container is formed with a base having a plurality of feet forming a planar support. A plurality of ribs or grooves are formed between the feet to make the feet appear to be petals of a flower; hence, the term “petaloidal base” was derived for the appearance of this base. This base with the plurality of grooves provides resistance against both internal and external pressures. One variation of the cylindrical container with a petaloidal base has a long neck section. These types of containers are used by different companies for different brands and types of products. As a consequence the container is often labeled with a large label at the main body section and a second neck label around the neck. It is highly desirable that the two labels be coordinated. In other words, the front center of each label should be aligned with each other. In other situations, one label to be applied to the container, such as to the body of the container, must be oriented with other indicia on the container, such as a logo molded into the neck of the container.

In order to align at least one label, which is generally applied at an associated label station, with other indicia or another label on the container, the rotated position of the container needs to be ascertained at each station so that the label or labels are applied in the desired oriented position.

What is needed and desired is a cylindrical container with a petaloid base that has an asymmetrical structure with one or more wider grooves or gaps between support feet in order to unambiguously determine the container's rotated position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a plastic container has a base with a plurality of support feet circumferentially spaced around the base such that a plurality of spacings are formed between the feet. At least one of the spacings or at least one of the feet has a different circumferential angular span than other respective spacings or feet. Preferably at least one of the spacings has a greater circumferential angular span than the other spacings, with all the other spacings being substantially the same angular span. It is desirable, but not necessary, that all of the support feet be of substantially the same size.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a plastic container has a base with a circumferential array of feet. The feet collectively form an interrupted plane for supporting the container. Circumferential spacings between the feet include at least one first spacing between at least one first pair of circumferentially adjacent feet and a plurality of second spacings between all other pairs of circumferentially adjacent feet. The at least one first spacing is circumferentially greater than the second spacings.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a container has a base with a plurality of support feet symmetrically spaced around the base to form a plurality of spacings between the feet. At least one of the spacings or at least one of the feet has a different size or shape than the other respective spacings or feet. Preferably, at least one of the spacings is larger than the other spacings, with all of the other spacings having the same size.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of indexing a plastic container around an axis includes providing a plastic container having a base with a plurality of support feet symmetrically spaced around the base such that a plurality of spacings are formed between the feet. At least one of the spacings or feet has a different size than other respective spacings or feet. A sensor is provided for detecting the at least one spacing or foot, and the container is positioned based upon the detected at least one spacing or foot.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of applying one or a plurality of coordinated labels to a container includes providing a plastic container having a base with a plurality of support feet circumferentially spaced around the base such that a plurality of spacings are formed between the feet. At least one of the spacings has a different circumferential angular span than other spacings. A sensor is provided in proximity to the base of the container for detecting the at least one spacing. The container is rotated around its longitudinal axis until the detector senses the location of the at least one spacing. At least one label is applied to the container at a predetermined orientation to the at least one spacing. The at least one label preferably is applied at the predetermined orientation to another label on the container or to indicia molded into the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference now is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational schematic view of a container with a petaloidal base being applied with separate body and neck labels in accordance with one implementation of the invention;

FIG. 2 is bottom plan view illustrating the petaloidal base in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a modification to FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 4-11 are schematic diagrams of container bases that illustrate the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, a generally cylindrical plastic container 10 has a petaloidal base 12, a main body section 14, and a neck section 16 below a finish 18. This type of container is often referred to a beer bottle because of its wide usage for containing beer, even though it has many other uses. The body 14 and neck section 16 have a separate body label 15 and neck label 17 applied thereto in a vertically aligned orientation through two separate label application stations 20 and 22 schematically shown in FIG. 1. Each label 15 and 17 may partially or entirely extend about the container. An indexing detector 24 is mounted in proximity to the petaloidal base 12 in order to detect the rotational orientation of the plastic container.

In order to eliminate any ambiguity in the rotational orientation of the container, the petaloidal base needs to have a unique construction that can be detected in an unambiguous rotated orientation. As shown in FIG. 2, the petaloidal base 12 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention has five support feet 26, each identical in shape and construction in this embodiment. Feet 26 are generally coplanar on a plane 27 of support to allow the container to stand upright in a stable position on a planar surface such as a table top. The support feet 26 are circumferentially spaced around the central longitudinal axis 28 of the container with gaps or spacings 30 and 32 interposed between the feet 26. The feet 26 are not all equally spaced however. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, four spacings 30 are equal in size and angular extent. The fifth spacing 32 however has a greater angular extent than the other spacings 30. The embodiment shown has spacings 30 each with approximately a 10° angular extent. The spacing 32 however has an approximately 20° angular extent. The spacing 32 has the same depth and same constructional configuration as spacings 30 other than its larger angular extent.

The indexing of the bottle is then seen to be accomplished with the use of a detector and by rotating the bottle in a known fashion. The detector is positioned below the petaloidal base. By rotating the bottle until the spacing 32 is located over the detector, the detector senses the position of the spacing 32 and distinguishes it from all other spacings 30, and sends the needed information to a controller 34. Controller 34 then individually controls the two label stations 20 and 22 for applying the labels onto the bottle 10 such that both labels are coordinated around the longitudinal axis 28, e.g. both labels are vertically aligned and face forward in the same direction.

The detector 24 for sensing the spacing can be a commercially available detector for sensing distances. Such available detectors may use sound, light, a mechanical probe or some other mechanism for detecting the spacing 32.

By having an individual single spacing 32 that is different from the other spacings 30, all ambiguity with respect to the rotational orientation of the bottle is eliminated. The unambiguous detection of the rotated position of the container allows for alignment of a plurality of labels. It also is foreseeable that other graphics, such as embossments or print on the container may also be rotatably coordinated.

It is also foreseen that a single narrower spacing or a single narrower or wider foot 26 may also achieve the same advantages.

Other variations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 3 illustrates a modification to the system of FIG. 1, in which the label 14 is applied, in accordance with the present invention at a predetermined orientation with respect to a logo 40 molded into the neck 16 of the container. Logo 40 is, of course, at a predetermined known orientation with respect to spacing 32. Thus, employing the principles of the present invention, label 14 (or 17) is applied at a desired orientation with respect to another label on the container, or with respect to other indicia on the container such as logo 40.

FIG. 4 illustrates a generally conventional container bottom having first feet 26 carried on the ends of associated legs 42. Legs 42 are projections from the bottom wall of the container, which is generally hemispherical, down to the foot. The foot forms the contact surface of the container. Legs 42 and feet 26 are of uniform size and spacing. FIG. 5 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 2, in which legs 42 and feet 26 are all uniformly sized, but two feet 26 and opposed legs 42 are disposed at increased spacing 32 at the six o'clock position (and at the nine o'clock position in FIG. 2). In FIG. 6, the legs 42 a, 42 b on opposed sides of space 32 are angled more steeply, so that enlarged space 32 is formed between legs 42 a, 42 b while leaving feet 26 at uniform angular spacing. FIG. 7 illustrates a combination of FIGS. 4 and 5, which is to say that the feet 26 on opposite sides of space 32 a are at increased angular spacing, and the legs 42 a, 42 b are at a steeper angle, so that space 32 a is larger than in FIGS. 5 and 6. It is also within the scope of the invention to make the feet 26 on both sides of space 32 (or 32 a) either larger or smaller than the other feet.

The invention thus far has been discussed in connection with container bases having five feet. However, the invention by no means is so limited. For example, FIG. 8 shows a base 44 having six feet 46 rather than five. Base 44 also has a modification in which two enlarged spaces 48 are provided at the three o'clock and nine o'clock positions, all other spaces being equal to each other and of lesser angular dimension than spaces 48. By providing two enlarged spaces rather than one, preferably diametrically opposed to each other, the container can be synchronized to the processing equipment twice during each rotation of the container, which reduces the processing time.

FIG. 9 shows a base 49 having four feet 50 at uniform angular increments separated by four equal spacings 52. FIG. 10 shows a modification 53 in accordance with the invention, in which the spacing 54 a at the twelve o'clock position is angularly larger than the spacings 56 at the three, six and nine o'clock positions. FIG. 11 illustrates a modification 57, in which enlarged spacings 58 are provided at the twelve and six o'clock positions, as compared with the smaller spacings 60 at the three and nine o'clock positions. 

1. A plastic container comprising a base with a plurality of feet symmetrically spaced about said base such that a plurality of spacings are formed between said feet, at least one of said spacings or at least one of said feet having a different size or shape than other respective spacings or feet.
 2. A plastic container as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one of said spacings has a greater circumferential angular span than said other spacings.
 3. A plastic container as defined in claim 2 wherein all of said support feet are substantially the same size, and spacings other than said at least one spacing are substantially the same size.
 4. A cylindrical plastic container comprising a base with a circumferential array of feet, spacing between said feet including at least one first spacing between at least one first pair of circumferentially adjacent feet and a plurality of second spacings between all other pairs of circumferentially adjacent feet, said at least one first spacing being greater than said second spacings.
 5. A method of indexing a plastic container around an axis including the steps of: providing a plastic container having a base with a plurality of feet symmetrically spaced about said base such that a plurality of spacings are formed between said feet with at least one of said spacings or at least one of said feet having a different size or shape than other respective spacings or feet, providing a sensor for detecting said at least one of said spacings or feet, and positioning said container based upon the detected at least one spacing or foot.
 6. A method of applying at least one label to a container, which includes the steps of: (a) providing a cylindrical plastic container having a base with a plurality of feet circumferentially spaced about said base such that a plurality of spacings are formed between said feet, with at least one of said spacings having a different circumferential angular span than other spacings, (b) providing a sensor for detecting said at least one spacing, (c) rotating said container about its longitudinal axis until said detector senses the location of said at least one spacing, and (d) applying at least one label to the container at a predetermined orientation relative to said at least one spacing.
 7. The method set forth in claim 6 wherein said step (d) includes applying at least two labels to the container at predetermined orientations with respect to said at least one spacing.
 8. A container comprising a base with a plurality of feet circumferentially spaced about said base to form a plurality of spacings between said feet, at least one of said spacings or at least one of said feet having a different size or shape than the other respective spacings or feet.
 9. A container as defined in claim 8 wherein said at least one of said spacings is larger than said other spacings, all of said other spacings have the same shape and size, and all of said feet having the same shape and size.
 10. A method of making a container that includes the step of blow molding a cylindrical plastic container having a base with a circumferential array of feet, circumferential spacing between said feet including at least one first spacing between first pairs of circumferentially adjacent feet and a plurality of second spacings between all other pairs of circumferentially adjacent feet, said at least one first spacing being circumferentially greater than said second spacings. 